NPW: Big Four Meadows Walk
Diversity of wetland, forest, and meadow plants. 2¼ miles round trip walk; gradual grade.
| What |
|
|---|---|
| When |
Jul 19, 2009 from 08:00 AM to 04:30 PM |
| Where | Big Four Meadows, Verlot |
| Contact Name | Sunny Walter |
| Contact Email | sunny@sunnywalter.com |
| Contact Phone | 425-271-1346 |
| Add event to calendar |
|
The trail to the Ice Caves begins with a boardwalk crossing a scrub-shrub wetland, with willows, hardhack, skunk cabbage, black twinberry, and sedge species. Look for American dippers in the Stillaguamish River. We then head into mixed-age silver fir forest, interspersed with mountain hemlock and both deer fern and oak fern along the trail. The herb layer includes bunchberry, bleeding heart, queen’s-cup, foamflower, and false lily-of-the-valley. In the meadow, look for rufous hummingbirds in the salmonberry.
At the base of the talus slope, the subalpine plants include Sitka valerian, cow parsnip, meadowrue, lupine, arnica, hellebore, and columbine. Climb the small knob near the ice caves, note the beautiful bunches of parsley fern growing in the rocks, and listen to pikas giving warning calls.
Wear good walking shoes or boots. Bring water, lunch, extra snacks, rain gear, bug juice, and sunscreen. Bring plant books and binoculars.
Meet before 8:00 a.m. at Kingsgate P&R, Kirkland to carpool. Plan to be back by late afternoon.
Please contact Sunny Walter at swalter@eastsideaudubon.org to reserve your space.



